Google and Intel are expected to launch their ‘Smart TV’ platform this week, revealing a deal with Sony that will bring web services to TV sets. Has web TV finally arrived?

internetontvThe launch will happen at Google’s highly anticipated annual developer conference in San Francisco, but it’s not secret.

Google tied up with Intel, Sony and Logitech back in March for a project which was called Google TV. Under this, all the involved companies sought to create a technology to make navigation of web applications easy through TV. And Intel and Sony are along for the ride in an attempt to find new markets.

And a year from now, according to Intel, TV will have been reinvented by the concept of Smart TV.

The venture includes Intel’s Atom microprocessor and Google’s Android operating system in set-top boxes and TVs featuring integrated internet services that could also allow broadcasters to turn set-top boxes into video game consoles.

The venture will allow the search engine giant to control internet access on yet another category of devices, ensuring it keeps its dominance in the global internet market. By offering its Chrome web browser on the Android system, Google will also be able to ensure its search and advertising technologies continue to bring in more profits.

With TVs, Blu-ray players and set-top boxes adding internet connectivity to their features, a host of companies are tailoring and integrating web-based content for our living room TV’s – further blurring the line between home entertainment and computing.

The question is, who will do it best? Read the rest of this entry »